Middle Bit: RAYGUN to open Chicago store this summer

Mike Draper, founder and owner of RAYGUN.

This summer RAYGUN will be expanding its operations to a new, 4,800-square-foot store in Andersonville, Illinois. The new store will be similar in design to other RAYGUN locations with merchandise being sold in a two-floor space.

Once the Chicago store is up and running, RAYGUN plans on opening the company’s sixth store, in Cedar Falls.

Registration open for 2019 BIO World Congress

Registration is now open for the 2019 BIO World Congress. The event will take place in Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center, July 8 -11.

The three-day presentation will consist of forums and presentations from business executives, government officials and academic researchers sharing the latest advances in industrial biotechnology.

Puris listed as top-funded agtech company in Minnesota

Minne Inno, an online publication based in Minnesota, recently published a list of top-funded agtech startups in the state. Puris, a company with roots in Iowa made the list.

The company produces protein powder and was founded in Oskaloosa 1985 before moving its headquarters to Minneapolis in 2016. Puris signed a joint venture agreement with Minnetonka-based Cargill in 2018. In total, the company has made $37.5 million, reported Minne Inno.